As Iām sure some of you have noticed, one of my newest herbal obsessions is Red Clover! I have been extremely interested in utilizing the topical properties of this unique herb, but only recently have I turned my attention to its medicinal and therapeutic properties when ingested.
Red Clover is a wild perennial herb belonging to the legume family and it is most famous for its benefits for dairy cattle and other animals using it as a natural graze in pastures. (More on that later, hehe!) While it is often just viewed as a wild growing pasture plant, almost on par with a common weed, Red Clover is actually a powerful plant chock full of healing and therapeutic properties, and when ingested, it is a great tonic for cleansing and overall wellness for women!
Benefits of Red Clover Herbal Teas
Historically, Red Clover Herbal Tea was seen a means of purifying the blood by acting as a diuretic (helping the body get rid of excess fluid) and as an expectorant (helping clear the lungs of mucous). It is also known to improve circulation, and to help cleanse the liver.
While Red Clover may be beneficial when used in itās historical context, modern scientific tests have shown that Red Clover is actually most beneficial when used for womenās health!
Red Clover contains LOTS of isoflavones, which are basically plant-based chemicals that produce estrogen like effects in the body. Because isoflavones are changed in the body to phytoestrogens that are similar to the hormone estrogen, Red Clover is often used in the treatment of a number of conditions associated with menopause, such as:
– Hot Flashes
– Cardiovascular Health
– Osteoporosis
– Breast Pain or Tenderness
– Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms
Aside from the benefits for womenās health, Red Clover is also a source of many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.
Additionally, the compounds biochanin-A, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumarin, formononetin, genistein and isorhamnetin found in the Red Clover blossoms all demonstrate some anti-cancer properties! The blossoms of Red Clover have been used medicinally to treat a number of conditions including:
– Cancer Prevention
– Whooping Cough
– Respiratory Problems
– Indigestion
– High Cholesterol
Red Clover Herbal Tea During Pregnancy?
(Please keep in mind, I am not a medical professional, just an information junky. Do your own research, and when in doubt, listen to your doctor, not the bookworm with a mom blog! Lol!)
The more I research the doās and donāt of what to consume (and not consume) during pregnancy, the more I am convinced that the American medical system is a bit intellectually schizophrenic. When it comes to the FDA and AAP, Iāve noticed that many foods and substances that are beneficial for pregnancy are banned, while other risky foods and behaviors are completely ignored.
So whenever I see a substance that is cautioned against during pregnancy, I err on the side of caution and avoid the substance until I have done further research. Red Clover is one of those substances. It is recommended that you NOT use Red Clover while pregnant.
The reason is because Red Clover acts like estrogen in the body, and therefore āmightā disturb your hormonal balances during pregnancy or breastfeeding. A worthy enough concern, however in practice itās a silly worry in my personal opinion.
The fact is, a woman will produce more estrogen during one pregnancy than throughout her entire life when not pregnant. The increase in estrogen during pregnancy enables the uterus and placenta to improve vascularization, transfer nutrients, and support the developing baby. In addition, estrogen is thought to play an important role in helping the fetus develop and mature. Estrogen levels increase steadily during pregnancy and reach their peak in the third trimester.
Concerning pregnancy, the greatest risk to your growing child is a LACK of estrogen ā NOT an overabundance! While Red Clover does indeed boost estrogen production in your body, the increase is highly unlikely to cause anything approaching harm to you or your child ā in fact quite the opposite! It will actually serve to help boost the life giving and health promoting hormone that your body is in dire need of.
To put it bluntly – The risks of too little estrogen is death to your child. The risk of too much estrogen is headaches, mood swings and nausea to you. Me personally? Iād err on the side of too much estrogen!
The only legitimate cause for concern regarding Red Clover during pregnancy is that Red Clover is a blood thinner. (This is due to the concentration of coumarin found in the blossoms.) So if you have experienced any spotting, bleeding or are high risk in your pregnancy, I would avoid any substances that act as blood thinners ā Red Clover Herbal Tea included.
How to Make Red Clover Herbal Tea
So! All that said, as a gentle cleansing tea drunk on occasion for overall health and wellness purposes, Red Clover offers many benefits to health! High in natural protective antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds ā and pleasant in flavor! ā Red Clover is good for general health, and is a tasty beverage.
To make yourself a cup of this yummy wellness tea, you can either buy prepackaged tea bags of Red Clover (what I am currently doing), or take 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb and steep it in 8 ounces of hot water for 1/2 hour. As a medicinal treatment, WebMD recommends you drink 2 – 3 cups daily.
I’m not a tea drinker really and I can’t say I’ve ever noticed Red Clover tea in the stores in the UK!
Such a great post, full of information – I might even look out for it and try some!
I found my Red Clover Tea at a health outlet store here in town, but other than that, I haven’t seen it in a regular supermarket! I’m thinking the best bet would be to order online.. or grow some yourself! ^_^
I drink a lot of tea. I have quite a collection! But I have not tried red clover.
If you ever do, let me know what you think of it! ^_^
Hi Gingi! I’m with you on the FDA, I totally think they pick and choose what is risky. Honestly, can we trust them? I don’t think so. Highly motivated. That’s what I think. Never heard of this Red Clover tea but I am very eager to try it, for um, PMS….dare I even utter that on a blog comment? I totally am cranky, miserable and have ridiculous hot flashes during that, um, special time of the month. Would love it if my afternoon tea habit helped me out there! Thanks for sharing. Will keep voting for you on the top mommy blogs and the picket fence deal. I’m with. ok, now it’s time to get harassed by my kids dr. over vaccines. Fun times.
OMG girl, why are you not my next door neighbor?!?! lol.. your comment literally made me lol! And no fears, I am TOTALLY with you on the, er.. special time.. tea. lol. When not pregnant, I am.. well, have you seen Mystery Men? You know the PMS Avenger? Yeah, that’s me. Haha. Anyway, funny you mention vaccines. It’s that time of year where I have to fight my doctor as well. Fun fun! lol.. Gonna go stalk your blog some more now. š
Interesting. I think I would have to drink a huge cup to soothen my PMS lol Of course that is not a problem right now. But I keep it in mind š Lovely red cup btw!
Thanks! I actually bought this red cup at the Dollar Store so I can use it for my blog posts, haha! All of my other mugs are all novelty, silly mugs, hehe! š
That’s great information !!! Sounded very useful to me, looked up the word – and discovered that I’m taking capsules of this for menopause disturbs :))))) Going to search for the tea, too, now as an alternative
Rosa
Styleyourselfinstyle.blogspot.com
That’s so cool! Yeah, it’s a supporting ingredient in many womens health capsule and tea mixes.. I am planning on planting some Red Clover this summer so I can grow and harvest my own! ^_^
Tessa will love it, because with so much clover you have to take bunnies :))
Rosa
Hehehe!! <3
Ha! I just sat down with my afternoon cup of matcha tea and here you are, talking about the benefits of drinking tea. I’ve never had red clover tea, now I have to try it.
This is a great post, and I do not trust the FDA or the USDA. I think that they are more concerned with lobbyists than the people they are supposed to protect. I also wish that western medicine focused more on the health benefits of a plant based diet so that doctors where a little bit more clued in.
I agree completely with you regarding the FDA and USDA.. they are most certainly in the back pockets of lobbyists, and unfortunately doctors are the ones who end up being duped. I have gotten to the point where I do my own research and only rely on the FDA as a last minute “I haven’t had time to research this” resort, lol! If you end up trying red clover tea, do let me know what you think! ^_^
Great post! This is really cool!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Thanks! <3
I have to say I was always a coffee addict. But lately I don;t feel so good from the coffee so have changed to tea. I always drink tea when I was sick, but now I can see all the good sides of it. Thanks for sharing this amazing post. Mel
http://livingoncloude9.com/
Yeah, I am still mainly a coffee person, but I find myself drinking tea more and more.. especially herbal teas in the afternoons!
we would always pick the clover and suck the blossom parts individually, it’s sweet. =) Our generation still does that but I think we are the last, nowadays kids don’t touch field flowers. I never thought of making a tea of it, but cool idea, will check it out.
As a kid, I used to always make bracelets and necklaces and wreaths out of the clover blossoms.. I am planning on seeding my back yard with these this summer, and hopefully Tessa will enjoy them that way! ^_^
i have never heard of this and i thought i was knowledgable about herbs and such. how does it taste? i’m adding it to my list.
It’s actually quite tasty! I drink the tea straight – with no sugar or honey – and I find it quite yummy!
I had no idea about this tea! Thanks for sharing it
http://girlandthepolkadot.com
No problem! <3 <3
I am seriously obsessed with herb and fruit teas. I have a whole cupboard full of them and I always use them to help with various issues.
Yeah, I am getting to the point where my cupboard can’t hold all of my herbal teas and such.. was actually just talking to my husband about investing in a hutch specifically for teas and ferments, haha!
This info on red clover tea is so interesting to me. This is the first I’ve learned of it. I’ve noticed a lot of things that are healthy are often warned against during pregnancy. I always have to wonder how things are going to effect the body when they are high in a hormone. I know what you mean by the “authorities” being schizophrenic. Sometimes they switch back and forth and it is hard to know. This was a great informative article.
BrightonHillNaughtyandNice
I’m glad you found it helpful!! <3 <3
I am a tea drinker, but never have this red clover herbal tea. I am really curious about it.
If you end up giving it a try, do let me know what you think! <3
I have not heard of red clover before but it sounds like a fantastic herb with great health benefits! Will definitely be looking into this product, thanks for the information!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.wordpress.com
For sure! Let me know how you like it! <3
It’s been long since I enjoyed a good herbal tea. and now your pictures making me crave some! I’m huge fan of Tiwana teas, I think I need to make some!
I am more of a coffee drinker myself, but I do love good herbal teas!!
Didn’t know the brand, but looks interesting!
Sarah x
http://www.palmtreesandheels.blogspot.com
It’s not a brand, just an herb. š But yeah, it’s really good! <3
I’ve never had it, but I loved reading about the health benefits. Interesting about pregnancy but you provided great facts.
I’m such a coffee drinker and have rarely found teas I can drink, but this looks promising.
Yeah, coffee will always be my first love.. but this tea is pretty dang good! ^_^
This may sound strange, but it sounds tasty! Then again, most herbals sound tasty to me lol
I’ve never tried it, but I definitely think it need to be on my keep your eye out for this other great and amazing natural thing you. Hopefully I remember at least some of what it’s good for and retain the biggest piece (in my world) of caution during pregnancy, but nota terrible Terrible thing, so ask midwife her opinion on it (duh).
So, thanks for the tips and idea about red clover! š
No problem! I love this little herb so much, I’m planning on seeding my back lawn with it this spring! <3
New to me so great to learn more, thanks!
Anytime, friend! <3
Definitely on the hunt for some red clover tea!! Thanks for the info and inspiration!!
Of course! Thanks for reading! <3
I’m curious if it tastes anything of faint ginger or something similar? I don’t even know why I thought that haha. If it doesn’t, I’d be curious to try it out. Will check the supermarket here if they sell a variant of red clover for prepacked teas. š
We’re slowly getting rid of coffee in the household and replacing it with teas so this is a good recommendation.
If you do get to try it, do let me know what you think!!! <3